Off Bwy "Nat Tuner in Jerusalem"-Too Preachy & Far Reaching

Playwright Nathan Davis' biopic play about Nat Turner portrays his last hours prior to his execution for instilling an uprising against slave owners & their families in VA in 1831.  The 90 minute, 1 act, 2 actor play features Phillip Brannon in a tour de force performance as Nat Turner and Rowan Vickers playing dual roles as both Turner's guard & atty Thomas Gray who recorded Turner's confessions.  Unfortunately, Brannon's eloquence & beseeching for understanding & compassion were not countered   by the bombastic & unconvincing roles played by Gray.  Turner's soliquies are beautifully written by playwright Nathan Davis and emotionally delivered by Brannon.  The essence of the play stems from Turner's life reflections and religious speeches.  Turner learned to read & write at an early age & was deeply religious.  He preached fervently to fellow slaves his religious convictions.  Davis' play felt like a sermon intentionally being interrupted both by the other actor & the blackouts infused with loud contemporary protest music.  The pounding lyrical soundtrack prior to the start of the play spoke of political oppression.  Tuner's words jumped straight to our hearts.  "I am the commander of no one." Accountablity for our actions & failure to object oppression create our own legacy.  Davis' skill for writing stirring sermons did not suffice into a cohesive and compelling production.   This 90 minute biopic play was shackled down by its own distracting contrivances.